Apparatus for doubling packs



t- 1941. R. J. LECKRONE APPARATUS FOR DOUBLING PACKS Filed June 21, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 0a. 21, 1941. R. J. LECKRONE 9,

APPARATUS FOR DOUBLING PACKS Filed June 21, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I l NVENTOR Oct. 21, 1941. R. J. LECKRONE APPARATUS FOR DQUBLING PACKS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 21, 1939 INVENTOR yd. Lec/rmne 1674;, MIM

Filed June 21, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Aoyd Leek/one A.

Patented Oct. 21, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR DOUBLING PACKS Roy J. Leckrone, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Blaw-Knox Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of New Jersey Application June 21, 1939, SerialNo. 280,327

8 Claims. (01. 153-21) This invention relates to an apparatus for doubling break-downs or packs in the hot rolling of steel sheets.

Doublers for folding packs and creasing the fold are well-known. In one form of such machine, the packs are placed on a support and engaged by a downwardly moving folding blade which causes th resulting fold to be seized by creasing rolls below the support, whereupon the rolls feed the pack downwardly. This form of doubler is objectionable in that it requires an expensive foundation below the floor level. It is an object of my invention to improve generally upon doublers such as that above-mentioned and to provide in combination with a doubler, a conveyor and pinch rolls for delivering th doubled packs as well as a piler therefor.

In a preferred form of the invention, I provide creasing rolls above the support on which the packs are initiall disposed, and a folding blade movable upward from a point below said support into the neighborhood of said rolls. I also provide means for deflecting doubled packs successively in opposite directions as they emerge from the doubling rolls. A conveyor adjacent the rolls delivers the packs deflected in one direction to discharge pinch rolls for piling. The packs defiected in the other direction are automatically reversed and fed to the deliveryconveyor for piling. By this system, alternate packs are p ed with their doubled ends at the opposite ends of the pile.

The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings illustrating the aforementioned preferred embodiment. In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation;

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section taken along the line II-II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken along the line IV-IV of Fig. l; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which doubled packs are stacked.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, spaced side frames I0 and II are connected by bridge members l2 and I3 and supported on any suitable foundation (not shown). The side frames l6 and I I have ways l4 formed therein in which a crosshead is vertically slidable. A folding blade I6 is carried on the crosshead l5. When the blade is in its lowermost position, it is below the surface of a support I! for a pack to be folded. The support I! may conveniently be a continuation of the working floor adjacent the doubler or may consist .of spaced skid bars. In any event, there is a slot in the supportalined with the ways M to permit the blade |6 to be elevated.

A cylinder 18 is formed in the bridge member [2 and is provided with a piston l3 and a rod 20 secured thereto. Therod is pivoted to the crosshead I5 at 2|. By application of fluid under pressure to the lower end of the cylinder 18, the blad l6 may be caused to engage a pack on the support I! intermediate the ends of the pack, thereby initiating a central, transverse fold.

Centering fingers 22 are pivoted on slides 23. The mounting of the fingers 22 is such thatrthey may tilt downward in the direction indicated by the arrow to permit the introduction of a pack between the side frames l0 and II. Suitable stops, however, prevent reverse movement of the fingers beyond their vertical positions. The slides 23 are movable along guide rods 24. The rods 24 on the left-hand side of the doubler have their inner ends secured to a channel 25 extending between the side frames IO and Il and their outer ends secured to a fixed bearing 26. The inner ends of the rods 24 on the right-hand side of the doubler are secured to the bridge member I3 and their outer ends to a second fixed bearing 26. The slides 23 are secured by set screws 21 to slide rods 28 and 28 respectively. The slide rod 28 is secured to a piston reciprocating in a cylinder 29 secured to the channel 25. The outer end of the rod 28 slides in the left-hand bearing 26. By controlling the admission of fiuid under pressure to the cylinder 29, the slide 23 with its fingers 22 may be moved toward or from the blade l6 and equal and opposite movement of the right-hand slide 23 and its fingers is effected by means of a connecting linkage.

A bracket- 30 secured to the slide rod 28 as by a pin 3| is pivotally connected to links 32. The links 32 are also pivoted to crank arms 33 secured to a shaft 34 journaled in bearings 35 on the bridge member l2. A crank 36 on the shaft 34 has links 31 pivoted thereto and to the inner end of the slide rod 23'. The latter is slidable in a bearing 38 on the bridge member [3 and in the right-hand fixed bearing 26. Since the cranks 33 and 36 extend in opposite directions from the shaft 34, it will be apparent that outward movement of the slide rod 28 is accompanied by simihr movement of the slide rod 29. The dimensions of the connecting linkage, furthermore, are such that the movement of both slide rods is equal.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that after a pack has been disposed between the side frames l6 and II and roughly centered on the blade l6 by eye, th fingers 22 may be brought together by applying fluid pressure to the cylinder 29, to accurately center the pack above the folding blade. The fingers 22, obviously, are retracted sufliciently to receive the pack before the latter is placed between the side frames. The fingers move in the spaces between skid bars forming the support H or if the support is a continuous floor, in slots formed therein.

Auxiliary bending rolls 39 and 40 cooperate with the blade l6 as the latter is elevated after a pack has been centered thereabove, to effect a fold about the edge of the blade l6. The rolls 39 and 40 are journaled on arms 4| and 42 pivoted at 43 and 44 on th side frames I6 and II. Cranks 45 and 46 secured to the arms 4| and 42 respectively are connected by a link 41. Since the cranks 45 and 46 extend in opposite directions from the pivot bars 43 and 44 of the levers 4| and 42, angular movement of either of the rolls 39 and 49 is accompanied by equal and opposite movement of the other. The rolls 39 and 40 may thus be adjusted to various positions for packs of different sizes. When once properly positioned, the levers 4| and 42 may be clamped in position by any suitable means.

The side frames Ill and II have windows 48 therein provided with ways in which bearing chucks 49 and 50 are slidable. Doubling rolls and 52 are journaled in the chucks 49 and 59 respectively. The chucks 50 bear against the inner ends of the windows 48. The roll 5| is urged against the roll 52 by springs 53 bearing on the chucks 49 and on adjusting screws 54 threaded through head blocks 55.

It will be understood that the creasing rolls 5| and 52 seize the fold formed at the middle of the pack by the blade l6 and the rolls 39 and 46, flattening the fold and discharging the doubled pack upwardly.

The roll 52 is driven by a motor 56 through speed reduction gear 51 and couplings 58. Meshing gears 59 on the necks of the rolls 5| and 52 drive the former from the latter. These gears are such that the separation of the rolls resulting from the passage of a pack therethrough does not cause unmeshing of the gears.

A deflector 66 has trunnions 6| journaled in bearings 62 formed in the upper edges of the side frames l6 and H. The deflector is movable to one of two alternative positions as indicated in chain lines and is yieldably held in either position by a tension spring 63, one end of which engages an eye-bolt 64 threaded into the side frame l9, the other end engaging a pin 65 on a rearwardly extending crank 66 integral with the deflector 66. A kick-over plate 61 is secured to the deflector substantially midway thereof.

It will be apparent that a pack emerging from between the rolls 5| and 52 will be deflected toward the right when the deflector is in the position illustrated in Fig. l in dotted lines. It will also be apparent that when the leading end of a doubled pack strikes the overhanging end of the kick-over plate 61, the pin will be moved beyond the dead center position so that the deflector will be moved to its alternate position indicated in chain lines, when the pack has passed completely through the creasing rolls and fallen onto the delivery conveyor indicated generally When the deflector is in the chain line position, pack emerging from the creasing rolls will be deflected to the left onto an up-tilted conveyor 69 composed of a plurality of idler wheels arranged in two spaced groups as shown in Fig. 3. The emerging pack will, as before, strike the kickover plate 61 and cause the reflector to be restored to the dotted line position when the pack has been fully discharged by the creasing rolls. Because of the up-tilted position of the conveyor 69, furthermore, the pack on being finally discharged by the creasing rolls, moves downwardly along the conveyor 69 and, aided by the clockwise rotation of the roll 52, is moved onto the conveyor 68. The doubled end of the pack trails, however, instead of leading, as in the case of the first pack, so that when the packs are finally discharged, as will shortly appear, the doubled ends of successive packs are at opposite ends of the pile or stack.

The conveyor 68 comprises a pair of spaced shafts 16 and 1| having a plurality of sheaves or sprockets 12 thereon around which belts or chains 13 are trained. The shaft 19 is journaled in bearings 14 formed in the side frames l0 and II and the shaft 1| is journaled in similar bearings formed in extensions 15 bolted thereto.

The outer sprockets 12 are secured to grooved collars 16 splined on the shafts 10 and 1|. The collars 16 are provided With flared disks or cone wheels 11. A screw shaft 18 is journaled in bearings formed in the side frame extensions 15 and has oppositely threaded ends cooperating with nuts formed in yokes 19. The yokes 19 have their ends shaped to fit in the grooves in the collars 16. On rotation of the screw shaft 18, therefore, as by a hand-wheel 89, the yokes 19 and the grooved collar 16 may be caused to move toward or away from each other. The cone wheels 11 may thus be adjusted to the proper spacing for different pack widths.

It will be apparent that the cone wheels 11 serve to center and guide the packs emerging from the creasing rolls 5| and '52 or advancing from the up-tilted conveyor 69, along the centerline of the conveyor 68.

Pinch roll bearing housings 8| are bolted to the ends of the side frame extensions 15 and pinch rolls 82 are journaled therein. One of the pinch rolls is driven from the creasing roll 52 through a chain and sprocket drive including a sprocket 83 secured to the gear 59 on the neck of the roll 52 and a sprocket 84 on the neck of the driven pinch roll. A sprocket 85 on the neck of the same pinch roll drives a sprocket 86 on the end of shaft 1| of the conveyor 68.

When the packs are discharged from the conveyor 68 by the pinch rolls 82, they fall on the floor or other suitable support and are arrested by suitable stops (not shown). In order to aline the ends of successive packs, I provide a tilting pusher member 61 pivoted at 68 on downward extensions 89 from the pinch roll housings 8|. The pusher member is actuated intermittently from the position shown in solid lines to the position shown in chain lines by a fluid pressure cylinder and piston 90 trunnioned at 9| on a bracket '92 formed on the :side frame extensions 15. The pusher member 81 has a control element 93 pivoted thereon adapted to be actuated by the trailing end of each pack as it slides down the face of the pusher member .81. The control element 93, through any suitable electrical or mechanical connection, causes fluid pressure to be admitted momentarily to the cylinder 96 to cause a forward movement of the pusher member 8.1 to effect alinement of the trailing end of each pack as it is discharged, with the ends of the packs previously discharged and piled.

Fig. illustrates the relation of the folded ends of successive packs in the pile. As a result of the operation of the deflector 6|], one pack is discharged from, the pinch rolls with its folded edge leading, while the next pack is discharged with its folded edge trailing. In this way, the pile is maintained level despite the fact that the folded end of the pack is somewhat thicker than the other end, as shown in Fig. 5.

Since the operation of the apparatus has been explained as each portion thereof has been described in detail, it is unnecessary to describe the operation any further.

It will be apparent that the apparatus and method disclosed herein are characterized by numerous advantages over previous devices for doubling packs. In the first place, the expensive foundation construction which was necessary for the doublers which feed the doubled pack downward is avoided. The invention also makes it possible, for the first time, to combine the delivery conveyor, discharge pinch rolls and piler with the doubler. The automatic operation of the pusher member 81 insures that the ends of successively discharged packs will be accurately alined. The advantage of stacking packs with their folded ends oppositely disposed requires no emphasis.

The apparatus is simple and relatively inexpensive in construction and is almost entirely automatic in operation, the only necessary manual operation being the control of the centering fingers 22, The doubler of my invention can readily be designed for a high capacity. One embodiment, for example, has been designed to double two ten-gauge sheets simultaneously to make a pack of four thicknesses.

Although I have illustrated and described only a preferred form and practice of the invention, it will be understood that changes in the construction and procedure disclosed may be made within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A pack doubler comprising doubling rolls, a folding blade movable toward and from said rolls, and means on the exit side of the rolls for defleeting the leading edge of alternate emerging packs in different directions from their path between the rolls, a delivery conveyor positioned to receive packs deflected in one direction from said path, and means positioned to receive packs deflected in another direction and effective to discharge them onto said delivery conveyor in reverse position to those discharged direct to the conveyor.

2. A pack doubler comprising doubling rolls, a folding blade movable toward and from said rolls, and means on the exit side of the rolls for deflecting the leading edge of alternate emerging packs in different directions from their path between the rolls, a delivery conveyor positioned to receive packs deflected in one direction from said path, means positioned to receive packs deflected in another direction and effective to discharge them onto said delivery conveyor in reverse position to those discharged direct to the conveyor, and

means actuated by an emerging pack whereby the deflecting means is shifted from one position to the other.

3. A pack doubler comprising doubling rolls disposed side by side, a folding blade extending along the pass between the rolls, adapted to engage a pack sidewise and force it between the rolls, a conveyor on one side of the rolls for carrying away folded packs, a conveyor on the other side of the rolls adapted to receive packs and discharge them reversely onto said first-mentioned conveyor, and means for deflecting packs emerging from said rolls alternately onto one and then the other of said conveyors.

4. A pack doubler comprising doubling rolls disposed side by side, a folding blade extending along the pass between the rolls, adapted to engage a pack sidewise and force it between the rolls, a driven conveyor on one side of the rolls for carrying away folded packs, an uptilted, idler conveyor on the other side of the rolls adapted to receive packs and discharge them reversely onto said first-mentioned conveyor, and means for deflecting packs emerging from said rolls alternately onto one and then the other of said conveyors.

5. In doubling apparatus, a supporting table, pack centering means, a pair of doubling rolls mounted above the mid-portion of said table, a blade arranged to push the intermediate part of the pack upwardly between the rolls, a unidirectional discharge conveyor adapted to receive doubled packs from the rolls, a support adapted to receive packs from the rolls and discharge them reversely onto said conveyor, and means for deflecting said packs alternately as discharged onto said conveyor and said support.

6. A pack doubler comprising doubling rolls, a folding blade movable toward and from said rolls, a unidirectional conveyor at one side of said rolls for carrying doubled packs away from said rolls, an inclined chute on the other side of the said rolls for receiving packs emerging from the rolls, and means on the exit side of the rolls effective for deflecting the leading edge of the emerging packs alternately toward the conveyor and toward said chute, said chute delivering the packs to the conveyor.

7. In doubling apparatus, a supporting table, pack centering means, a pair of doubling rolls mounted above the mid-portion of said table, a pusher blade arranged to ush the intermediate portion of a pack upwardly between the rolls, a conveyor on one side of said doubling rolls, and means including a reversible deflector and packreceiving and returning means arranged to cause successively rising doubled packs to be delivered onto said conveyor means with the folded edge of the packs alternately leading and trailing.

8. A pack doubler comprising a pair of flattening rolls. a pair of relatively widely spaced bending rolls on the entering side of the flattening rolls, a blade adapted to engage a pack and to pass between the bending rolls and deliver the bent pack to the bite of the flattening rolls, and means for reciprocating said blade between a position on the entry side of the bending rolls to the aforesaid position where it delivers the bent packs into the bite of the flattening rolls.

ROY J. LECKRONE. 

